[Biology Class Notes] on Introduction to Hydroponics Pdf for EXAM [2024]

Soil is an essential source of nutrients and minerals for growing plants. Also, it is responsible for facilitating gaseous exchange between the atmospheres and roots and helps to protect plants against erosion and facilitates water retention.

However, this article discusses a system – hydroponics, wherein plants can be grown without soil. Read on to find out what is hydroponics and gain valuable information about it.

What is Hydroponics?

The hydroponics definition states that it is the cultivation of plants in water. It is a subcategory of hydroculture and is a useful technique of growing plants without soil.

Through this technique, roots absorb the nutrients present in water and fulfil their growth requirement. Furthermore, through this method, one can grow plants in liquid, sand or gravel by simply adding some nutrients to it.

In recent years, hydroponics has found application in the field of commercial production and horticulture. Similarly, residents of cities with limited space are using this method to grow fresh plants in their home and surroundings.

In hydroponics, the photosynthesis process is expressed as –

Carbon dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen

Or,

6CO₂+ 6H₂O = C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Some of the most common hydroponics examples include – the production of artichokes, sprouts, cabbage, peas, onions, tomatoes and yams.

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Fun Fact: The term Hydroponics was derived from ‘hydros’ and ‘ponos’ which in Greek translates into ‘water working’.

Types of Hydroponics Systems

Here are the different types of hydroponics systems.

Wick System: In this system, the nutrients are pumped from the reservoir and transmitted to plant roots through wick’s capillary movement.
Ebb and Flow: It is also called the flood and drains system and is often automated via a pump with a timer. The grow tray is flooded with nutrient solution and is subsequently drained back.
Water Culture: Plants are kept in net pots and are placed on a floating platform on top of a container of water and nutrients. To facilitate growth and development, the suspended roots are stretched out into the oxygenated solution, which is rich in nutrients.
Drip System Recovery: In this setup, the nutrient solutions are pumped through a tube and then dropped onto roots through drip lines.

Other than these, the nutrient film technique and aeroponic system are also popular types of hydroponics systems.

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Test Your Knowledge: Define hydroponics. Explain the importance of hydroponics.

Advantages of Hydroponics

Following advantages makes the uses of hydroponics more feasible and effective –

Higher yield.
Controlled level of nutrition.
Plants are healthier, and they mature faster.
Weeds can be easily eliminated.
Susceptibility to pests and diseases is negligible.
Automation is possible.
Water present in the system can be reused, which facilitates water conservation.
Ease of harvesting.
Crops produced are fitter for consumption.
Small production space can be optimised effectively.

Irrespective of its benefits and uses, hydroponics has its share of disadvantages too. Read below to find remaining hydroponics information and its prominent problems.

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

Here are the prevalent problems of hydroponics –

The initial cost of investment.
The requirement of technical know-how.
The process is often thorough and time-consuming.
Only specific soluble nutrients are used.
The recirculation system is prone to water-borne infection.

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Is the Hydroponic attempt towards agriculture predictable and seasonable?

Farmers do need to tackle unpredictable and unexpected weather issues that could lead to wiping out of the entire crop in a matter of days. Floods, fires, droughts, insect problems, etc. are a fact of nature and can happen anytime and anywhere. And when a food crop is in dire straits, it can have a devastating effect on the rest of the food chain.

In a hydroponic greenhouse, conditions are controlled by the farmer. This means you can plant your strawberries and harvest them in the winter. And when a locust swarm arrives, the greenhouse will protect your precious plants from damage, no matter how many invaders invade nearby fields. For farmers, this means the ability to enter into long-term store contracts with fixed prices. And they will be sure to deliver, no matter what.

Does Hydroponics help in producing High-Quality Food?

With traditional farming, the answer has been to pick up the product before it is ripe and then let it ripen in storage and on the way to supply. In some cases, ethylene gas is used for the automatic ripening of selected foods in advance. This is necessary if traditionally cultivated plants will reach consumers in remote areas.

Natural, plant-based foods are often more nutritious and taste better. Because hydroponic gardens contain their microbiomes, these plants can be grown anywhere. This means that they can be selected during the ripening period as they do not have to travel long distances before arriving at their homes and restaurants to enjoy themselves.

Important Consideration in Hydroponics

While you can grow almost anything with hydroponics, some vegetables grow better in hydroponic systems than others. Choose plants that are moisture-resistant and do not grow well in their composition, such as cucumber, tomato, capsicum, strawberries, lettuce, and leafy vegetables.

Also, when establishing a hydroponic garden, depending on the size, strength, and development of the roots of the plants to grow and the structure of the system, one needs to decide whether to use only a solution culture or a specific type of growth.